October 20: Information Overload Day

October 20:  Information Overload Day 

We have more access to more information than ever before, and we have gotten dumber and employed less common sense than ever before.  Information Overload Day was established by a group of companies looking to bring awareness to what happens when you overload your employees and customers with far too much information. Research has been showing that productivity is actually being hurt by the sheer amount of information flowing through our lives, with the average employee receiving no less than 93 emails a day. 

Can you relate?  The critical distinction we must make is between knowledge and wisdom.  With so much information at our fingertips, we have lost any sense of context.  In most cases, we have no idea where the information is coming from, who provided it, how much it has been edited, and so on.  What’s an information overloaded believer to do?

Fear.  That is where we must start.  The fear of God.  No less than 4 different times, God’s word assures us that wisdom is to be coveted, and the only place to start getting wisdom is with the fear of the Lord.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)  The alternative?  Be a fool.  No, we are not talking about buffoonish behavior and silly antics.  A fool is among the worst things a person can be in scripture.  So what does it mean to fear the Lord? 

In an effort to defend God, many believers have tried to soften the notion of fear.  It means what it looks like it means!  God is terrifying when it comes to sin.  His just wrath is not something to be trifled with. Fearing that is good, and it is there that wisdom begins.  In other words, get this right and pursue God, and listen intently to His precepts.  There will be Hell to pay if you don’t! 
But this is not the end of the story.  Matthew 10 provides great insight here.  ²⁶ “So have no fear of them (those who persecute you), for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. ²⁸ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?^[i] And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. ³² So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, ³³ but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 

Did you see it there?  We are to fear God precisely so that we do not have to fear Him!  Covered in the blood of Christ, the full wrath of God has been poured out on Him.  Fear the one who can destroy you, and let that fear drive you to Him.  Then, you have nothing to fear.  Now, wisdom can begin.  On this information overload day, take some time to study “fearing God.”  Let wisdom reign!